LOCAL & GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 11 April 1945, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL

The express from Christchurch yesterday, carrying 378 passengers, arrived in Greymouth 10 minutes late. As form April 1, the rate of interest on trust monies held by the Public Trust Office in its Common Fund has been reduced from 31 to 31 per cent. The interest rates on existing deposit monies—a class of business which the Trust has not taken since the war—has been reduced from 3 to 2 3-4 per cent. Goods amounting to 12,528 tons, were transported through the Otira Tunnel last week front the West Coast to Canterbury. . This is the smallest weekly consignment compared with the amounts transferred during the corresponding weeks of 1944 and 1943. The figures for 1944, were 14,849 tons, and for 1943, 12,767 tons. A draft of seven West Coast men left yesterday morning for an N.Z. E.F. ‘mobilisation camp 1 . They were Esmonde C. Street, Herbert W. Dyeming. William H. Watt (Cobden), Frank R. May (Kaiata), Norman R. Friend (Barrytown), Leonard S. Gillman (Ngahere), and Albert N. McVicar (Totara Flat).

An inquest concerning the death of Raymond Hobbs, a miner, aged 24 years, who was fatally injured in the Wallsend mine on Monday afternoon, was opened at Greymouth yesterday morning, before Mr. M. J. Fogarty, Deputy-Coroner, and after evidence of identification had been given by William Robert Hobbs, brother ■, of the deceased man, was adjourned sine die. The back shift at Wallsend on Monday returned home as a mark of respect and the mine will not work till after the funeral.

At the monthly meeting of the Grey branch of the National Council of Women, it was'agreed, that the decision as to whether meetings should be held in the afternoon or evening should be made at the annual meeting next month. A very interesting address on the work of the special class at the Grey Main School was given by the guest speaker, Mrs M. G. Sanders.

The question of installing a clock at the front of the Chief Post Office was the subject of a letter from the Chief Postmaser (Mr Aldridge), received at last evening’s meeting of the Council of the Westland District Progress League. He stated that the Department could not see its way ' clear to provide and instal a bracket clock; but would have no objection, subject to a satisfactory report from the Public Works Department, to installing such a clock on the building if it was supplied, installed and maintained without cost to the Department, by some local authority. It was suggested that some public-spirited citizen might provide a double-faced clock to be placed in some prominent position in the town. It was decided to contact other centres where clocks had been removed, in an attempt to discover what was being done there.

Recent donations to the Greymouth Patriotic Fund, include the ; folowing: Part staff Greymouth - Borough Council £2 10s; West Coast Amusements Ltd., £32 2s 6d; Anonymous £5; Cobden-Blaketown shop day £22 16s; Greymouth Amateur Swiming Club 24/11/44, 15s 2d; Technical College, Greymouth £lB 14s; Mrs. W. Meldrum 10s; Anonymous i£s; Post Office staff £1 14s 6d; St. Andrew’s Sunday School £2; Miss Arnott 10s; Blaketown Women s Institute £3; Greymouth women’s 1 atriotic Council: Sale Lady Newalls books £1 ss; sale Air Force calendars tE4 ss; disposal of articles £2l 13s; Woolworths Ltd. £7 10s.

The monthly meeting of the Ruatami Women’s Institute was held on Saturday, April 7, Miss A. Growcott presiding Competition results weie as follows: Plate of sdones, Miss A. Growcott and Miss Murphy, equal Ist; posy Mrs C. Wilson 1, Mrs Dilety 2. Mrs ’ Revelety won the social halfhour competition. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, ■ Mesdames Routhan and Shearer.

When you think of Coats, think of White’s. ' We can show you an exceptionally line range o£ advanced Autumn styles in ajl the latest shades. White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre. -—Advt.

The s.s. Omana, with coal, and timber for the North Island, and the s.s. Poolta with coal and timber, for Wellington, did not sail last night because of a heavy sea on the. bar. but will sail as soon as conditions permit. The s.s. Kiwitea is loading coal for Wellington, and may complete to-night. The s.s. Karepo is expected this afternoon to load coal and posts for the North Island. The s.s. Rata is expected to-morrow morning from Wanganui to load coal for Nelson.

A resolution, that the. Hon. J. O’Brien be asked to obtain and furnish information as to the proposals for the establishment of night Hying mail and commercial planes for Westland, and further if the aerodromes here were suitable or could be adapted for such services,'was passed at. a meeting of the Council of the Westland District Progress League last evening.

Monday night conversation in Greymouth home. Husband: “There’s a good picture on to-night, what about coming? But .1 suppose you’re too tired—it’s wash day.” Wife: “No, I’ve turned over a new leaf —I’ve sent all my washing to the Westland Laundry. I’m fired of being tired on wash day.” What a wise decision. Wash day fatigue gets you. And it’s not worth it when our service costs so little. Take our No. 2 Thrifty Service for instance—lSlbs. Hat work beautifully laundered for only 5/-. Here’s an example of what you can include in ISlbs.—B sheets, 9 pillowslips, 9 towels, 6 tea towels, 3 tablecloths—a total of 35 articles or the equivalent. This represents the average household’s fortnightly wash —i.e. 2/6 a week. Try a thrifty service. ’Phone 136. Depot: 27 Albert Street. —Advt.

A strong protest was made last evening at a meeting of the Council of the Westland District Progress League, against what were described as unfair reports in the newspapers of Greymouth weather. Every shower of rain and every fresh in the river was reported as a Hood, and the days of bright sunshine and mild weather were completely ignored, stated a member. Dissatisfaction with the present site of the weather recording station was expressed by Mr G. R. Harker, who said that the tiphead, the present site, was one of the coldest parts of Greymouth and did not represent the true position in Greymouth. At the aerodrome, he suggested, the ollicer in charge might be able to keep complete sun, rainfall and temperature records, it was decided to ask the Borough Council to try and obtain the special instruments required, especially a sunshine recorder.

At Wellington yesterday, Mr W. J. Gardner, Secretary of the Harbours’ Association of New Zealand (which represents 28 harbour boards) made submissions to the Rail and Coastal Shipping Committee of Parliament. He said‘that both land transport and coastwise shipping transport were necessary for the trade and' development of New Zealand, and that neither form of transport should be permitted to operate at freight rates which would divert trade from one Ito the other, and possibly put the opponent out of business and create a loss of employment and financial difficulties. He said there should be a governing authority to co-ordinate various forms of transport, with the right of a review of the freight rates and of appeal in (he event of either form of transport feeling aggrieved at any special or competitive rate. The committee has already taken evidence in the South Island and the Auckland area. It is now sitting in Wellington, where it will probably finish its inquiry on Friday, after which it will consider its report to the Minister. —P.A.

Happily, the people of New Zealand are at last beginning to recognise the value of our own manufactures and the wisdom of “encouraging local industry.” Retail traders from one end of the Dominion to the other report increasing sales of New Zealand-made goods. These, of course, comprise a host of things formerly imported in huge quantities, and include tobacco of such superlative quality that the most competent judges pronounce it “excellent.” Cur rapidly expanding tobacco industry, it may be added, not only gives employment to many hands (and incidentally helps the man on the land to grow a profitable sideline), but benefits’ the consumer because, unlike some imported brands, it contains (thanks to being toasted) very little nicotine, and may be smoked for hours at a time without burning the tongue or harming the smoker in any way. There is no liner or more fragrant tobacco than this. Six brands only: Navy Cut No. 3, Riverhead Gold, Desert Gold, Cut Plug No. 10, Pocket Edition and Cavendish; also Riverhead and Desert Gold tailormades. All toasted. —Advt.